India has signed a deal with the US to acquire 31 Predator drones, enhancing its defense, surveillance, and combat capabilities. The MQ-9B drones will strengthen India’s maritime and border security, marking a major step in India-US defense ties.
US Senator Ben Cardin, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed his concerns on the timing of the sale amid concerns about the alleged murder-for-hire plot. He approved the deal after the Biden administration assured him that India was investigating the case.
The statement by the US State Department comes after the US approved the sale of 31 MQ-9B armed drones to India on Thursday. Meanwhile, Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu is retiring from foreign service after a distinguished career spanning over three decades.
The proposed mega drone deal was announced during the historic State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi here in June 2023.
The Defence Ministry on June 15 approved the deal for acquiring the 'Predator (MQ-9 Reaper) drones from the USA.
India-US drone deal: The deal to procure Predator drones is likely to be announced following talks between PM Modi and US President Joe Biden in Washington next week.
India-US drone deal: The deal for the Predator drones was given approval by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting on June 15.
The US has cleared the sale of 22 predator Guardian drones to India, as President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged today to deepen their defence and security cooperation
Top News
Latest News
